Frank and Peggy Clugston depleted their savings on their son's three trials. So Fort Lauderdale lawyer Morgan helped them for free.

Morgan worked as a clerk for Clugston's trial lawyer, Ray Sandstrom, before passing the Bar exam himself in 1984.

Sandstrom moved to Wyoming before completing post-conviction motions for Clugston. Morgan took the case in 1990. Based on new evidence - two witnesses recanting their statements - Morgan sought a new trial for Clugston. The request was denied by the trial court judge, Thomas Coker Jr.

Morgan estimates his bill would have totaled at least $30,000 had he charged the Clugstons.

"I never got paid anything but their friendship," he said. "They're a good family. I cried a lot over the years over what they've gone through, because I totally believe in Chris' innocence."

When Clugston's parents began to consider appealing their son's conviction on grounds that Sandstrom was an ineffective lawyer, Morgan advised them to replace him. As Sandstrom's former clerk, Morgan told them, he might be asked to testify.

That's when Ken Kukec of Boca Raton took the case for free - 31/2 years ago. He appealed Clugston's conviction on the same grounds that Morgan did, only this time to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.

When that failed, Kukec successfully sought help from the clemency board.

"The family did not have money to pay a fee. They were not eligible for a court-appointed lawyer at this stage of the proceedings," Kukec said.

"At first, I've got to admit, I was somewhat skeptical. Now I think Chris' innocence is the only theory that makes sense."

His bill would be in six figures if he were charging his client, Kukec said.

"Chris hadn't gotten a fair shake," Kukec said. "Under the circumstances, I think most criminal defense lawyers would have come on board."

Frank and Peggy Clugston have nothing but praise for Morgan and Kukec.

"They're really good Samaritans," Frank Clugston said. "We don't know what we would have done without them."

When Clugston walked out of prison on Monday, Kukec was first on the list of people he thanked. "He did it out of his heart," Clugston said.